Drake (Aubrey Graham) is a popular Canadian rapper. Not too long ago, he released “Scorpion”, his fifth solo studio album featuring JAY-Z, Michael Jackson, Static Major, and Ty Dolla $ign.
“SURVIVAL”
Drake addresses drama amidst living life in the public’s eye. He admits he’s a ruler with a broken crown. Perhaps, it was partially damaged during his individual clashes with Pusha T, Meek Mill, and others.
“I’ve had real Philly ni^^as try to write my endin’. Takin’ shots with the goat and talked about shots that we sending. I’ve had scuffles with bad boys that wasn’t pretendin’. I’ve had too many nights to mention, that’s just the beginning.”
Drake goes on to state that the faces on Mount Rushmore are all his, with different expressions. He’s in his bag, feeling himself, and continues to brag openly about his status as a hip-hop elite.
“Seen this movie a hundred times, I know where it’s headed. Realize someone gotta die when no one will dead it. Ni^^as gambling with their life for some content. That’s the type of lottery that could get your top picked. I am a cream-of-the-crop ni^^a. You ni^^as pop mollies, my Mali’s pop ni^^as. House on both coasts, but I live on the charts.”
“NONSTOP”
Drake continues to shine with braggadocious rhymes. He raps over head-bopping bass-heavy instrumentation that contains a sample of one of Mack Daddy Ju’s and D.J. Squeeky’s mixtape songs.
It’s apparent that there’s a financial difference between Drake and most of his competition. But the Canadian emcees admits that he didn’t do it by himself, he had a team.
Drake
“Future took the business and ran it for me. I let Ollie take the owl, told him brand it for me. I get 2 million a pop and that’s standard for me. Like I went blind, dog, you gotta hand it to me.”
Drake deserves much respect for what he has accomplished in a short period of time. Also, it’s real when he raps, “Palace look like Buckingham. Bills so big I call ‘em Williams.”
He admits it’s hard for his competition to be content with what they have. Especially when they see his material possessions and social clout.
“ELEVATE”
“I want to thank God for working way harder than Satan. He’s playing favorites, it feels amazing.”
The above quote captures the essence of “Elevate”.
Drake found a better way to support himself and his close-knit family. Somehow, he wonders how it all became possible, especially when winning used to seem impossible.
“EMOTIONLESS”
The track begins with a sample of Mariah Carey’s “Emotions” single, which repeats throughout the song.
Drake raps over the soulful vocals and paints a vivid picture of what he sees from his point of view. Over a dreamy beat, perfumed in nostalgic flavor, he stamps a bunch of evergreen wisdom in the minds of listeners.
People Crying for Help
“I’m tryna see who’s there on the other end of the shade. Most times it’s just somebody that’s under-aged. That’s probably just alone and afraid. And lashin’ out so that someone else can feel their pain.”
Be content with what you have
“I always hear people complain about the place that they live. That all the people here are fake and they got nothin’ to give. ‘Cause they been starin’ at somebody else’s version of—that makes another city seem more exciting than it is.”
Don’t live to impress others
“I know a girl whose one goal was to visit Rome. Then she finally got to Rome. And all she did was post pictures for people at home. ‘Cause all that mattered was impressin’ everybody she’s known.”
Mean what you say and say what you mean
“I know another girl that’s crying out for help. But her latest caption is leave me alone.”
Value real life over social media
“I know a girl happily married ’til she puts down her phone.”
Don’t live to impress others #2
“I know a girl that saves pictures from places she’s flown. To post later and make it look like she still on the go.”
After giving several examples of how some of us live, Drake addresses his child that Pusha T brought to the forefront.
“I wasn’t hiding my kid from the world. I was hiding the world from my kid. From empty souls who just wake up and look to debate. Until you starin’ at your seed, you can never relate.”
Drake gives a valid reason for keeping his child from the camera’s view. Sometimes, seclusion results in a piece of mind. He admits, there are times when he wishes he was where he was back when he used to wish he was here.
“GOD’S PLAN”
Drake addresses that there are a lot of bad things that people are wishing on him. But his success is God’s plan. Also, after it’s all said and done, he might go down as a G.O.D., or rap god.
“God’s Plan”
“She said, ‘Do you love me?’ I tell her, ‘Only partly. I only love my bed and my momma, I’m sorry.’ Fifty Dub, I even got it tatted on me. 81, they’ll bring the crashers to the party. And you know me. Turn the O2 into the O3, dog. Without 40, Oli, there’d be no me. Imagine if I never met the broskies.”
The video shows the artist spending his music video budget of $996,631.90. Also, the song debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to Billboard, and broke a Spotify record for having 4.3 million streams in the first 24 hours.
“I’M UPSET”
Drake addresses a trifling female that’s out to get him for his material possessions. She’s disrespectful and that gets him tight. She has fifty thousand on his head, and that amount upsets him because he’s worth more.
“Got a lot of blood and it’s cold. They keep tryna get me for my soul. Thankful for the women that I know. Can’t go fifty-fifty with no hoe. Every month, she don’t even love me, she just putting on a front. She gon’ try and settle outta court and make a run. Then gon’ ask me how I’m doing? I’m upset.”
“I’m Upset”
The Karena Evans-video begins with Drake lying in bed with an unidentified woman. The lighting is dim and the buzzing sound of his phone wakes him up. He slyly gets out of bed without the woman noticing and checks his phone.
He stands and takes a moment to drink. Also, the camera reveals he and the woman are positioned on top of the Toronto Raptors’ logo, positioned in the middle of the team’s basketball court.
“8 OUT OF 10”
Drake addresses his value as a mega superstar. He knows when he drops a project, everything stops, and people pay attention to what he has to say.
“Drizzy ’bout to drop, the game is in disarray. I’d tell you hear me out but we both know end of the day. Your sister is pressing play, your trainer is pressing play. Your wifey, your wifey, your wifey, your wifey— (true).”
He addresses Pusha T’s claims of him being a deadbeat: ‘the only deadbeats is whatever beats I been rappin’ to.’
He raps confidently over a classic track produced by OB O’Brien, Boi-1da, and Jahaan Sweet. Also, he feels comfortable with his new role as a father and a good guy.
“MOB TIES”
Drake raises the tempo and raps on the dark side to get his point across. He knows he’s the topic of discussion in certain rappers’ rhymes. But after he dropped his album, it’s quiet on the other side.
“Heard all of the talkin’, now it’s quiet, now it’s shush. Twenty-nine is comin’, they on edge when I cook. Lead the league in scoring, man, but look at my assists. Yes, I be with Future but I like to reminisce. I do not forget a thing, I’m patient, it’s a gift. Try to tell ’em they ain’t got to do it, they insist. Yeah, I can tellI just gave ’em two for forty million like Chappelle. Standing over a coffin with a hammer and a nail. Heard you hit up so and so, that name don’t ring a bell.”
“CAN’T TAKE A JOKE”
Drake addresses joking with his brothers on serious issues. But unfortunately, they’re not the joking type.
Also, he talks about the trolls in his comment section via social media platforms. He assumes they’re probably on their way to work while he’s rapping in the studio about things he owns.
“SANDRA’S ROSE”
Drake admits he’s his mother’s rose. Her real name is Sandra “Sandi” Graham. Also, she worked as an English teacher and florist, where she picked many flowers. But her greatest flower is Drake, and his success smells sweeter than all the other flowers she picked.
“Life’s too short, I gotta get it ‘fore they blow the whistle. My uncle tryna change my energy with stones and crystals. But it’s gon’ take more than that for me to control my issues. I wasn’t made for no casket or no prison cell. Every title doing numbers like I’m Miss Adele. Sandra knows I pulled us out of a living hell. I’m the chosen one, flowers never pick themselves.”
A powerful passage from one of hip-hop elite rappers. He delivers impactful raps over a groovy, bassline-infested track produced by Maneesh and the legendary DJ Premier.
“TALK UP”
Drake enlists another elite emcee, JAY-Z, to address wealth, success, and other fruitful topics. The two emcees match wits over a head-bopping track produced by DJ Paul. Also, the song is an urban gem with evergreen vocals.
“Ten of us, we moving as one. I’m so proud of who I’ve become. You might think I’ve taken some lumps. Only if we talkin’ ’bout sums.” – Drake
Drake + JAY-Z
“I’m what Meech shoulda been. I’m what Supreme didn’t become. If Alpo didn’t snitch, ni^^as would be like Young. I got your President tweeting, I won’t even meet with him. Y’all killed X and let Zimmerman live, shhh, s-streets is done.” – JAY-Z
“IS THERE MORE”
Drake ends DISK 1 or SIDE A on a lyrically high note. He raps over an introspective tune produced by Wallis Lane and answers the question is there more to life.
He states that this double album means that he’s out of his recording deal, which was a smart move by him.
Also, he responded to his competition.
“Sweeter the berry, the blacker the juice. The Boy is back in the booth, ready to tap into truth. Too many lyrics ’bout houses and loot. Too many Walt Disney characters, mouses, and goofs. I mean you know I love a challenge, but challenged by who? I’ll let you bring a thousand recruits. My peers are a talented group. But even if you take all their statistics and carry the two. Even if you rounded up the numbers and rounded the troops. There’s still nothin’ they could really do. It’s too bad reality checks don’t cover the balances due. Whenever it’s time to recoup.”
Drake will be recouping for a long time to come.
“PEAK”
Drake begins ‘DISK 2 + SIDE B’ in UK R&B mode. He sings about a relationship issue he had with an unnamed English woman. Also, he wants her to know that he’s over her. He has found peace and wants to speak his piece.
“What you thought of me? Never had me missing a beat. That’s just a view from a cheap seat. They don’t want problems with me. Talk used to be cheap, nowadays it’s free. People are only as tough as they phone allows them to be.”
“SUMMER GAMES”
Drake sings about a failed summer relationship over edgy R&B-pop instrumentation that bounces to the rhythm of his ailing heart.
“You said “I love you” too fast. So much for that, girl, summer just started and we’re already done.”
He hinted at what might have sent their relationship in a downward spiral. Apparently, social media is where the drama began.
“You say I led you on, but you followed me. I follow one of your friends, you unfollow me. Then you block them so they can’t see you likin’ someone just like me. I expected more from you honestly.”
“JADED”
Drake slows down the tempo and addresses a female that’s causing his heart to feel pain. She vacated their relationship and he wants to know why. At least she could’ve called him, instead of ending their relationship via a text message. But he isn’t upset. He still loves her, but her unsure actions have him feeling jaded.
“Told me about all your insecurities, for what? Dragged me like two hours to your family’s house, for what? Said you need some time but I should stick around, for what? Always felt like sticking ’round’s the same as being stuck. And like guns with the ink in, you’re gettin’ under my skin.”
He’s having a hard time letting go. The woman is apparently younger than he is. Also, she needs to live a little more before she can commit to a relationship with Drake.
But that still doesn’t change the fact that he feels played, and wonders about her new boyfriend.
“NICE FOR WHAT”
Drake gets back in rap mode and encourages hard-working females that’s it’s okay for them to show off. It’s the weekend, and they should be partying with their girlfriends and having a good time.
“Nice for What”
“I understand, you got a hunnid bands. You got a baby Benz, you got some bad friends. High school pics, you was even bad then. You ain’t stressing off no lover in the past tense. You already had them. Work at 8 A.M., finish ’round five. Hoes talk down, you don’t see ’em outside. Yeah, they don’t really be the same offline.”
The Murda Beatz- and Noah “40” Shebib-produced track features a sample from Lauryn Hill’s hit song, “Ex-Factor”. Also, the video features cameos from Olivia Wilde, Issa Rae, and many other celebrities.
“FINESSE”
Drake opens his heart over a slow burner produced by Noel Cadastre. He sings about a woman that he wishes he had a child with. Her name isn’t mentioned, but whoever she is, she’s special to Drake.
“RATCHET HAPPY BIRTHDAY”
Drake sings a happy birthday song to an ex-girlfriend. He wishes her well and wants her special day to be a celebration.
“THAT’S HOW YOU FEEL”
Drake addresses a failed relationship with a woman who has a busy schedule. He was good to her but now she isn’t someone he would stand behind.
“I know you like to drink ’til the sun up. Grind ’til you come up. Work all winter, shine all summer. Ride for your brother. You die for your mother. Keep that sh*t a hunna. I know you wanna. Vacay to a place where you could take pictures, post on Insta. Your friends say they miss ya. But they don’t really miss ya.”
“BLUE TINT”
Drake raps braggadocious lyrics over a bouncy track. He addresses getting up with his ex-girlfriend and being back on the charts again. Also, he addresses haters that are salty about his success.
“’Cause she being nice again. Double my price again. Top of the charts, back in their hearts. Ni^^a he strikes again, woah. Some ni^^as bitter with life and they hate me. They wanna put knife in my ribs.”
“IN MY FEELINGS”
Drake raps loving lyrics over a groovy track with DJ elements. The bouncy song is female-empowering and club-friendly.
“DON’T MATTER TO ME (FEATURING MICHAEL JACKSON)”
Drake uses unreleased 1983 vocals of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, to address a relationship issue.
“All of a sudden you say you don’t want me no more. All of a sudden you say that I closed the door. It don’t matter to me. It don’t matter to me what you say.” – Michael Jackson
Drake wants out of the failing relationship. But, he is concerned about the woman’s wellbeing because she’s not taking the break-up too well. She’s using drugs and alcohol as vices to cope with her loss.
“AFTER DARK”
Drake reverts to R&B mode and addresses another female that he wants to make a priority in his life. This time he enlists Ty Dolla $ign & Static Major to assist in the serenading.
“Can’t offer much more, you’ve heard it before. That narrative for me isn’t changing. I wanna make you a priority. I wanna let you know there’s more to me, I wanna have your faith restored in me.”
“FINAL FANTASY”
Drake gets sexual and unleashes his inner hedonistic thoughts to a woman he’s trying to get with. He mentions he wants it freaky like the red leather Michael.
“I like best when you’re fresh-faced and no foundation. Willin’ and ready for the taking. Earth-shattering, groundbreaking. Headscarf for after our relations. No judgment is our arrangement. Make that face up if you dare. But just be prepared that I am gonna cause that lipstick to smear. And the mascara tears to run down.”
“MARCH 14”
Drake talks about his son, Adonis, and his baby’s mother, Sophie Brussaux. The Canadian emcee pours his heart and raps honest lyrics.
“She not my lover like Billie Jean, but the kid is mine. Sandi used to tell me all it takes is one time. And all it took was one time. Sh*t, we only met two times, two times. And both times were nothin’ like the new times. Now it’s rough times, I’m out here on front lines. Just tryin’ to make sure that I see him sometimes. It’s breaking my spirit. Single father, I hate when I hear it. I used to challenge my parents on every album. Now I’m embarrassed to tell ’em I ended up as a co-parent.”
Co-parenting is nothing to be embarrassed about. And Drake is a stand-up dude for stepping up and taking care of his responsibility. No matter what happens between him and his baby’s mother, his son will have this song, along with other things, to show that Drake was there from the start.
CONCLUSION
It’s too early to call anything a classic after a few days of it being released. But Disk 1 is an evergreen body of work, created by a maturing philosopher and an elite emcee. The project addresses the artist’s real-life issues. Also, it contains stellar production and thought-provoking lyrics that will stand the test of time.
Disk 2 is a decent project that’s soaked in personal relationship drama, fatherhood talks, and braggadocious lyricism. Also, it’s inspired by the singer’s life in the spotlight.
Therefore, we recommend adding Drake’s “Scorpion” double album to your personal playlist.
“Scorpion”
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